DORMA is a Registered Provider with The American
Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems, meeting health,
safety, welfare and sustainable design requirements. Credit earned
on completion of these programs will be reported to CES Records
for AIA members. Certificates of Completion are available to print
for your records.

These programs are registered with AIA/CES and DHI
for continuing professional education. As such, the programs do
not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval
or endorsement by the AIA or DHI for any material of construction
or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing
in any material or product.

This Web site and the content herein is protected
by U.S. and International Copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution,
display and use of this without written permission of DORMA is prohibited.

It
is important to specify electrified hardware for the following six
reasons:

Security: hospital drug storage rooms

Access control: weight room at an apartment
complex

Audit trail: room entrant registration
in case of theft

ADA requirements: automatic door openers

Remote operation: in case of school lockdown

Convenience: quickly open and close exterior
doors

Basic Components of Electrified HardwareThere are four basic components to electrical
circuits, including the power source, conductor, switch and load.

Power Source
The power source may come from either the primary line or from
a secondary source, such as a transformer or a power supply. A
majority of electrified hardware is considered "low voltage."
Equipment generally requires 48 volts or less to function, with
an average of 24 volts (AC or DC). Certain products, including
low energy auto-operators and wall magnets, need 120 volts (AC)
to operate.

Every
load has an operating voltage and current rating. The output current
(AMPs) must adequately supply power to the system's total load.
The output voltage must equal to the load's voltage.

A filtered and regulated power supply consists of four parts.
First, the transformer reduces voltage from line to low (where
the starting input is 120 VAC). Next, the rectifier converts AC
to DC. Third, the filter (capacitor) stores and cleans the current.
Lastly, the regulator (diode) maintains constant output to eliminate
spikes in the voltage. The final output totals 24 VCD.

Conductor
The conductor is a wire that provides the conductive path through
which energy flows. It connects the other elements in the process,
forming the circuit. In terms of swinging doors, power transfers,
electric hinges and pivots act as conductors by running electricity
from the frame to mounted electrified parts.

It is important to consider the line/load
drop when dealing with conductors. The distance between power
supply and the load, or the object performing work, determines
the necessary wire gauge. Electric hinges must have adequate wires
to be tied to electrified devices (i.e., 6-wire/ 8-wire).

Switch
The switch, or control, is used to interrupt the flow of electricity
to the circuit. Switches are used to open and close or continue
and break circuits. They also control locks and activate monitoring
devices. Examples of switches include push buttons, key switches
and biometric readers.

Switches allow two types of contact. Maintained contact, provided
by key switches, permits a constant stream of power between the
switch and device. Maintained contact is used when activating
electrified, dogging powered, exit devices during an office's
business hours. Momentary contact, provided by push buttons, temporarily
delivers power to the device. Receptionists execute momentary
contact when using push buttons to allow visitors' entry.

Load
The load is the object that performs the work when electricity
is applied. Types of loads include electrified locksets, electrified
exit devices, electric strikes, magnet locks and electric closers.

Evaluation

Upon submission, results of
your evaluation will be displayed with the correct answers shown
in red.

What is a reason not to specify electrified hardware?Access
control .Cost.Convenience.

Which one of the following is part of the four basic components
of electrical circuits?Switch.Processor.Transformer.